OOC: This is a solo Three Arches story (see the thread in the Tavern). Read and enjoy. --M

On her simple bed in the room she shared with Divaine Eleri, Melisa Céliane tinkered with the strings on her violin to get it back into tune. Of late, her studies at the Tower had kept her either too busy or too fatigued to play as much as she would have liked to. Divaine was squinting her dark eyes at a copy of Mirrors of the Wheel, for as she had insisted so many times, it would help the two of them when the time came for their tests. What little the pair had been able to gather on the testing was that it gave them a glimpse into an alternate reality, where other events that had not come to pass in this world could be taking place. The rest of the ceremony of passage had been imparted to them steadily as they progressed towards their goal. Which night the Test would take place, neither of them could know, but both felt it was nearly time for one, or both, of them to be raised. So for the last fortnight, they had both grasped at something to fill the time, waiting for that expected knock upon the door.

Melisa was quietly plucking at a string when Di looked up from her book and absently spoke.

"Did you notice if he was looking at me today while we were walking in the gardens?"

Funny how she gives the look of someone reading, but brings up a topic that's completely unrelated to her book, thought the Andoran, pressing her lips together to hold in a grin. "Who?" she asked, with a look of pure innocence...as if she had no idea whatsoever which piece of manflesh Divaine's gaze had been fixed upon all afternoon in the Tower Gardens. Although she had been right there.

"Don't act as if you don't know, Melisa...and don't give me that innocent look either. You weren't exactly fixated on the flowers out there." Melisa's brown eyes looked away as she flushed faintly, and the slender young woman went on. "So, was Pelas looking my way, or not?"

"He was supposed to be practicing."

A look passed between the two over Melisa's violin as she brought it up beneath her chin, ready to play. One of exasperation meeting resignation.

"I think I saw him glance your way once or twice. But as you said, I wasn't exactly staring at him. Unlike someone else I know."

Now it was Divaine's turn to color as the petite Sister drew the bow over the strings, playing a sweet, merry tune to cover the silence. For Melisa, it was frustrating to know that her good friend seemed to have already picked out the man she wished to Bond when she became Aes Sedai, while the Andoran struggled to find even one that seemed to suit her in the slightest. Reminding herself there was plenty of time to make such decisions, she winced as a sour note faded into the air, and reminded herself to focus.

Knock, knock.

Melisa nearly dropped the bow when the firm sound echoed through their room, and the pair's gazes met again, both equally....anticipating and nervous.

"Get it, Melisa. I'm too... Go."

Melisa put down her instrument, slid from the bed and swung the door open slightly.

Before her stood the Mistress of Novices, looking every inch an Aes Sedai. Even when the Andoran had been directed to go to her on the rare occasions that she'd done something foolish, Melisa had admired that poise. As the woman uttered the words she had been waiting for, the novice wondered if she would ever manage to have the fortitude to appear like that.

"It is time, Melisa Céliane."

Her footsteps softly pattered on the floor of the hall as Melisa followed closely behind the Mistress of Novices. The slender woman had longer legs than she, and would probably have been walking too fast for the novice to keep up if she had not been in the midst of reciting all of the details of the testing the Andoran was about to endure. Through others that had gone before, such as Jeriana and Delphinia, Melisa had heard most of the warnings. Although the fact had not yet been mentioned, she was also aware that she could refuse the test, but only three times, or she would risk being put out of the Tower. Now that she was here, at this point of change, the idea of being thrown out seemed the most utterly humiliating thing she could imagine.

I'm ready. I think I'm ready. I think....

Divaine had remained in their room to wait for her, although it was late, and the elder novice should probably have tried to sleep. Melisa knew that there was no way that her best friend would be able to sleep until she returned with news. It would have been the same should the willowy Domani have gone through the trials first. A part of her wondered if Di might be somewhat upset at not having been taken first to go through the testing. There were times she could be a touch competitive.

The walk had not only given her escort a considerable amount of time to discuss angreal, sa'angreal, and ter'angreal, the latter being the description of the three silver arches they were approaching, but Melisa would've had plenty of time to turn back if she doubted herself too much. With a few more steps, they came through a doorway. The Andoran's widened brown eyes traveled around the room as much to take in the sight of the huge object of the Power as to ascertain the number and identity of all the women in the room.

Five Aes Sedai stood about the room, all women that Melisa could put a name to. One present was Tamerlane Sedai. That made sense, in case there was need of a Healer during the course of the testing for some reason. Beside her was Jenisi Sedai, a curvaceous Blue; Emare Sedai, an olive-skinned Green, was also present. A diminutive Brown, Mir'iam Sedai, was more fixated on eyeing the ter'angreal than she was at noticing the arrival of the novice. Melisa would have smiled faintly if this had not been such a nerve-wracking moment. There was even the notorious White, Maihgread Sedai--the one of which all sorts of defamatory tales were whispered these days. Melisa's brow did raise at that before she reminded herself that they were all--except for the Brown--watching her closely. The diversity in the room was probably due to the fact that Melisa had not yet indicated an interest in any particular Ajah. Not that she hadn't been thinking of striving towards one.

There was one person that had not yet made an appearance, but whose presence would signal that she was forever sealed to the Tower.

The Amyrlin.

Tamerlane Sedai approached, and smiled. Melisa had liked her from the first time she had laid eyes upon the dark-haired woman. Although she had the same manner that most Aes Sedai were known for, there was a certain--air of willfulness--about her. The Andoran could relate. Most young women who grew up without their father had those tendencies. Right now, though, all Melisa could feel was the bundle of nerves sitting in her stomach.

"Melisa Céliane," the Yellow intoned, "you have come here to be formally accepted by the White Tower. If you choose to attempt this trial, you must continue until the end, or you risk being turned away forever. There is no reason to feel shame if you choose to wait, but we feel you are ready. However, the decision is ultimately yours."

Melisa wanted to squirm once again under the scrutiny of so many Aes Sedai at once, but she focused and stood a little straighter, the bundle of nerves loosening just a touch. "I feel ready," she responded, glad that her voice did not carry a whit of uneasiness.

"Very well, then," came the Mistress of Novices' voice from just behind her left shoulder. "This test must be completed in only one's skin."

The Andoran stiffened a little; it was awkward to be without her novice white in front of anyone, let alone a room full of Sisters, but she had also been told about this detail of the testing before. Melisa took a deep breath that she exhaled as she pulled the clean, light fabric over her head, and folded it as neatly as she could manage, placing it out of the way.

"The first time," the voice pronounced from behind her, "is for what was. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."

The room became ever so slightly lighter as a glow sprang up around the Blue, the Green, and the Brown. The arches seemed to whisper to her, then. Melisa's feet slowly propelled her forward until she passed through the first silvery span, feeling her skin stretch oddly as she found herself facing a landscape that looked nothing like the inside of the White Tower at all.

And there, across a field of windswept grass, in a line of men, she spied a form that was as familiar to her as if he had been there every year of her life.

Her father.

As he paused a moment to catch his breath, Nathen Cairon's brown eyes roamed the landscape and the scattering of women and children nearby. Then, they came to rest upon her. The smile he gave made her feel as if her feet were scarcely touching the ground. He was one of many, hard at work in the field, while two men looked on. One was decidedly shorter of stature than the other, but carried himself with the same manner--that of someone used to being in charge. He ran a hand over his dark, close-cropped hair as she watched. The other seemed to nearly tower over him, and the sun reflected off his light hair.

Melisa turned her gaze upward at the feeling of a hand on her back, and looked into the eyes of her mother, Daline. The woman's features were youthful and happier, her flowing hair a darker shade with less gray, taking the Andoran back to a simpler time when she had seen fewer summers. "What is he doing?" she queried, her voice coming out at a higher pitch than it did these days.

"He's almost done for the day, dear. When the seneschals say he can come home, then we shall go home and have supper."

"The seneschals?"

"Yes, Melisa, light...." she chuckled, "you act as if you have never been here before. When Masters Rishad and Be'Hara call an end to the day, he will be free to spend the rest of the day with us." The names did not sound familiar, but the men still gave off that air of importance. "It should be soon."

Quietly, she watched and waited until the taller of the two men waved a hand and shouted something across the field that Melisa could not quite make out. The line of men began to disperse. For his part, Nathen Cairon wasted no time making a beeline for the young Andoran. His footsteps quickened as he drew closer, and without realizing she was doing so, Melisa began to walk towards him.

When he reached her, he pulled her into his arms and spun her around, though it had already seemed as though the earth was spinning long before he had lifted her from the ground. Is this happening? Am I dreaming? There was a sense of security and--a sense that life had been made right again--as she spun in her father's warm embrace. After an eternity, after it seemed as though the world had changed, he set her back onto the ground and took her hand.

"Let's go home, Melly. I am so hungry. Have you been out gathering apples or picking berries today?" Melisa simply held his hand and walked alongside, staring up at him in wonder.

"I guess you aren't going to tell me, so I will be surprised at what is for dessert. Fair enough." He chuckled, and whistled a merry tune as they made their way through the wisps of tall, yellow-tipped grass towards a sturdy cabin in the distance.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, they had settled into chairs around a small wooden table and stew was being scooped into her plate. Instead of scrutinizing it, though, Melisa was taking in her surroundings. An open doorway with no door looked in on a small sparsely-decorated room with a shortened bed pressed up against the far wall. Another doorway, this one with a door left ajar, gave her a glimpse of a larger bed. Behind the table was a basin for washing clothes, and the stove set in the corner, where Daline Céliane was taking up the last of the food--a sweet, mouth-watering pie. The smell of berries wafted through the air.

"Don't just sit there and let your food get cold, Melisa," her mother chided, and she picked up a spoon, beginning to eat. The stew tasted just like she'd remembered, the meat tender and delicious. But she was focused on the man at the end of the table, only going through the motions of eating as her eyes rested upon his every move. As her mother joined them at the table, the Andoran realized that she was actually having dinner with her father and her mother. It was something she had always longed to do, but he had never been there at the table with them--until now. Her mind wanted to question, but she stomped down the curiosity after a fleeting moment.

Nathen's dark eyes came to rest upon her again, wrinkling slightly at the sides as he smiled handsomely. "Light, but you are growing up into quite the young woman. Before long, I shall have to stop calling you Melly. It is a girl's nickname, after all." He paused for another taste of stew. "So proud of you. I am concerned, though, about you leaving to go through the testing at the White Tower. Are you certain that you want to be Aes Sedai?"

Deep in her heart, Melisa knew it was what she wanted. Even with the scene before her. "Yes."

"You do know that you are setting yourself up for a life of constant danger, yes?" he went on. "Being a target for those who do evil for the rest of your life?"

"Yes," Melisa uttered more forcefully. "I want to do it with all that is within me. I want to make you proud."

Behind her father, across the room, an arch began to glimmer in the air. Melisa knew it meant something. Something urgent.

Her father smiled again, and gave his head a shake. "You already make me proud, my dear."

Melisa scooted her chair back, noting that the arch had brightened. "I must go."

"Now? Why must you rush away right this moment? You do not have to leave for the Tower now, do you?" The confusion in his voice as he, too, came to his feet, made her steps halting as she moved around him, feeling her lip start to quiver. She didn't want to leave. There was her father standing before her...a real home... "I'm sorry Father, I cannot explain, I just..."

Melisa took a deep breath and rushed through the arch, tears tumbling over her cheeks as she landed upon the floor and pounded her fist upon the cold stone in frustration.

As Melisa was cleansed with water, Emara Sedai's gentle tones helped soothe the pain of what could have been. "You are washed clean of what sin you may have done and of those done against you," she declared in a clear, calm voice. "You are washed clean of what crime you may have committed, and of those committed against you. You come to us washed clean and pure, in heart and soul." Though no outward pain had come to her as a result of setting foot in the the first arch, the wound on the inside was fresh, leaving Melisa feeling as if a small part of herself had been ripped away in the testing. And she was not nearly done.

"It was *so* real," she uttered under her breath, so only the Green could hear. "It was what I always wanted, and I had to leave. He didn't want me to." She balled her hands into fists in a muted sign of frustration.

"I understand, dear. There is always a price to pay to become Aes Sedai. And there is more to come. You have made it this far. Be strong and steadfast." The Green's understanding, along with the subtle reminder for the Andoran to show what she was made of, made Melisa set her mouth in a hard, firm line as she blinked away the tears. She drew a deep, shuddery breath, and raised her chin, her posture and bearing signaling that she had steeled herself, and was ready to continue. Emara Sedai stepped back, and the Mistress of Novices intoned, "The second arch is for what is. The way will come but once. Be steadfast."

Melisa stepped into the second arch and her eyes were assailed with its brilliant glow until she passed completely through. Her feet met cool stone, not unlike the surface they had just left. She took in her surroundings, finding that she was, indeed, within the walls of the Tower.

The hallway was a familiar one. It led to one of her favorite places, the Gardens. It was then that she remembered why she was here. Saowynn Sedai had sent her to water the flowers.

This summer had been a been a particularly dry one in the area around Tar Valon, and it was well known among the sisters that worked with the Tower's Accepted that Melisa had quite a Talent with weaves of water. She made her way outside, enjoying the warmth of the sun upon her head and back, feeling somewhat proud to have a task that would be pleasant, and would actually help to beautify a focal point of the White Tower.

But there were distractions out here, and one of them just happened to be receiving instruction from Cirynne Gaidar, an accomplished fighter, in the Practice Yards. Right within her line of view, and not far from the patch of starflowers that looked to be the driest spot in her near vicinity.

Coltn Tan'esh brushed the back of his hand across his wet, tanned brow, keeping the sweat from trickling into his eyes--those sparkling blue eyes that had to be the same color as the ocean Melisa had not yet gazed upon. His burnished golden hair glinted in the sun as he tilted his head upward once more to face his opponent. Without realizing it, the Andoran found herself smoothing the banded gown she wore over her hips, her mouth going a bit dry.

The manshima had been her first, and while they had definitely had a physical spark, the two had found they had little in common. But that did not mean that it did not quicken her pulse to see him in action against an opponent here in the Yards. From her understanding, and she had no reason to believe otherwise, she was the only person to have such a physical connection to the fellow Andoran.

Well, this isn't going to make focusing very easy....

Melisa pressed her lips together and trained her eyes upon the ground where the roots that fed the clumps of flowers would be. She opened herself to the Source and began to weave strands of Water, placing them atop the ground where it was dry and the usual green had begun to fade. Her hand started to swing back and forth, placing the weaves, but her eye was drawn to the sound of the practice swords clacking together.

Coltn's eyes took on the look of focus with the same hint of ferocity that she remembered very well from their session of lovemaking. Melisa swallowed against a dry throat and looked on as Cirynne and the manshima broke apart, and while the gaidar took the break to have a drink of water, the finely-muscled Andoran took the opportunity to remove his shirt. Melisa blinked and made a quiet sound of frustration as she attempted to return her attention to the task at hand, noting even as she did so that her feet felt damp.

Her glazed, distracted eyes met with a shock.

Instead of sinking into the ground, as they would have had she been watching, the weaves of water had built one atop the other and had begun to pool above ground, right at her feet. In her surprise, she tied off the water weave and tried to use Air to push the water down, but in her haste she had done something unusual when tying it off, which kept the water flowing like a stream. It widened and began to engulf her ankles, stretching out behind her in rivulets of clear bubbles, gaining speed as it moved towards the door she had just used to enter the Gardens.

"What in the Light of the world are you doing, child?" came a horrified voice, and Melisa turned to see Daera Sedai staring down at her attempt to water a few starflowers in dismay. "Trying to flood us out??"

The Red Sister plucked at the weave, but somehow every time she pulled at a thread, the bundle of strings grew even tighter. Melisa panicked, her feet wanting to take her every direction at once. Anywhere but here. "You can't fix it?"

"I don't for the life of me know how you tied it off this way! Why can't you fix it? If you don't take care of it this second, or start looking for someone who can, the Gardens will be flooded in minutes!"

Water had pooled between them and the door, creeping under its edge, expanding towards the Practice Yards, where Cirynne Gaidar had begun to direct the men off the surface and towards another door into the Tower. Coltn threw a glance backward at her, puzzled and at the same time concerned, as he too fled the encroaching expanse of water.

Melisa called for help even as she herself tried to pull at the strands she had knotted, frantically looking for the one that would stop the land at their feet from becoming a lake.

As she worked, Daera Sedai shouted, the Red's words echoing into her ears... "You will be thrown out of the Tower for this destruction!"

Just beyond the patch of starflowers, an arch of silver glimmered into view. Melisa felt as if she was supposed to go to it, but when she stopped tugging at the weaved knot, the Red's voice shouted even more forcefully. "Where do you think you're going??! You'll be back on the road home tonight after this mess!"

Melisa didn't turn back. She had to go, even if it meant leaving the Tower Gardens in a state of total disarray.